[duxuser] Re: specific cases of non-blind-friendliness
- From: "George Bell" <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <duxuser@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 11:04:39 -0000
Hi Catherine,
Excellent message. Now we are getting down to brass tacks, as the
colloquialism goes.
> 1. DBT prints all of its initial manuals and help screens in file
> formats unique to Duxbury, (dxp). In order to get help, we have to already
> know how to use the program.
This is true, and all being well, in 10.5 we will be able to make available at
least Word files of the Installation, Introduction and Menus part of the Help
files.
The Help function itself is exactly the same as the JAWS Help system. In fact
it is generated by the same software. Even if you don't use JAWS, the use of
HTML Help is the same for thousands of Windows Applications.
However, as well as a "Print Topic" button (No use to screen reader users) we
have added an "Emboss Topic" button, so you can be selective about what you
want in braille.
> 2. Certain options which directly effect blind users are neither
> described nor explained. There is something called cursor tracking for
> example, which, if disabled, causes the screen access devices (speech and
> braille) to virtually freeze. Even though they may be doing what they are
> supposed to, we can't see anything.
Is this specific to DBT? I'd like to investigate, so I'll be in touch
privately for specific details.
> 3. In the system menu there is no way to determine what items are
> checked or not checked. Where other menus have x's which can be turned on and
> off via the spacebar, the system menu has no such thing.
Can you give me one or two specific examples where in DBT this occurs? You
say, "system menu" - DBT doesn't have a menu called "system", hence my
confusion.
> 4. There is no complete list of Duxbury defaults so people can know
> from where they may be starting.
I shall try to produce a list of Template defaults.
> 5. I never could find an explanation to justify my editing a file in
> Duxbury whose keystrokes I do not know
> versus editing the same file in a word processor (be it word or WordPerfect
> or lotus or any other.
I have been advocating that DBT tries to follow as closely as possible, at
least Word's navigational keystrokes. However, my own take is that if you are
more comfortable doing your main editing in an alternative program, do so.
> 6. Sometimes, when I have translated a dxp file, the codes are included
> with the translation. Nowhere is there information as to how to create a file
> without the codes. The particular example is the duxguide.dxp help screen.
The ONLY time I have seen codes appear in a translated document is when someone
has not entered them in the corrected way as codes. They MUST be entered in
DBT and you do need to use Ctrl + Left Square bracket, type the code, then
press Enter.
However, if you come across this problem, and are certain the codes were input
correctly, PLEASE, PLEASE send us the .dxp and the translated .dxb file. You
may well have found a bug which we don't know about.
> I'll stop now. If you are serious George, and I know you are, ask us
> for help. We will be more than glad to give it.
Oh believe me, I AM serious Catherine. They don't call me all sorts of names
at Duxbury for no reason. (Smile)
> I beg support and constructive suggestions from other blind users to the list.
Me to! But remember, specific examples, or for instances, are worth their
weight in gold. I should add that at this late stage in the 10.5 development,
we're only looking for problem issues like those you have described. New
features will have to be put on the back burner, or it will be Christmas before
it gets released. (And I didn't say WHICH Christmas either!!)
> For those who think that I am just too stupid to live, please write to me
> privately, rather than disturbing these other nice people.
Would I ever? I'd like to live a little longer! (Big smile)
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